Abstract: Background and Aims. Existence and diagnostic procedures of neurosecretory dysfunction of growth hormone (NSD) are still a matter of debate. The aim of our study was (a) to find out if prediagnostic auxological and laboratory data could serve as an indicator for pathologic and normal spontaneous GH-secretion and (b) to evaluate the response to GH-therapy in NSD-patients. Methods. Of 90 children (unicentric study) with normal response to GH-stimulation tests, in whom 12-hour night profiles for GH-secretion were performed, 49 were diagnosed with NSD (NSD group). Their auxologic data, IGF-I/IGFBP3-levels as well as the night profiles, were analysed and compared to those of the non-NSD group. Additionally, follow-up auxological data of the GH-treated NSD-patients were collected. Results. Prediagnostic auxologic and laboratory data did not differ between the two groups. Instead, for all analysed criteria of spontaneous GH-secretion (number of peaks, maximal and mean secretion) a significant difference was found. Children with NSD showed a good response to GH-treatment after 1 (H-SDS +0,77 ± 0,48) as well as 4 years (+1,51 ± 0,75). Conclusion. According to our results, analysing spontaneous GH-secretion remains the only method to identify NSD. Yet, as response to GH-treatment is comparable to results in idiopathic GHD, it is worth to consider this diagnosis.PubDate: Thu, 23 Feb 2017 08:19:04 +000

Abstract: Gastric ulcer has shown association with changes in sex hormones, with impact exacerbated in males. Also, males are known to be more exposed to ulcer risk factors. This study investigates the effect of testosterone on indomethacin induced gastric ulcers in adult female rats. Eighteen female rats (225 ± 25 g body weight) were randomly assigned to 3 groups under standard laboratory condition. After acclimatization, animals fasted for 40 hrs but were given water ad libitum. Group A served as control while group B served as the ulcer control, in which ulcer was induced without treatment using indomethacin (40 mg/kg single orally dose). Group C was pretreated with testosterone (1 mg/kg IM) eight hours before ulcer induction. Eight hours after ulcer induction, animals were sacrificed and the stomach was harvested for analysis. Results showed a significant reduction in mucus content in groups C ( g) and B ( g) compared to A ( g). Gastric mucus pH was significantly acidic in group B () compared to C () and A (). There was a significantly higher ulcer index in group B ( mm) compared to C ( mm) and testosterone pretreatment resulted in a 21.74% ulcer inhibition. Although weak, the findings suggest that testosterone might protect the gastric mucosa against NSAIDs in females.PubDate: Thu, 10 Nov 2016 14:47:12 +000